Active Health Team
Christchurch
Meet Our Highly Skilled Team of Experts
Helping you to be the best you can be
Christchurch Podiatrists
About Me
– BHSc (Pod), PGDipSportsMed, M.Sport.PodNZ (Sports Accredited)
Simon is a vastly experienced podiatrist who provides management for all foot and ankle conditions. Simon has a long standing interest in diagnosis and treatment of sports injuries, and its associated areas, including orthotic design, sports shoe prescription, running analysis and bike setups. Simon also uses strengthening and stretching regimes along with manipulation of the foot joints to help alleviate many different complaints of the foot.
Through the years, as a High Performance Sport NZ Podiatry provider Simon has been involved with the treatment and rehabilitation a number of elite athletes especially in the Olympic Sports of Cycling, Athletics and Triathlon.
Simon has worked for Mizuno NZ as their Consultant Podiatrist since 2001, being involved in shoe range selection, technical training of retail staff throughout NZ and involvement in promotional events.
Simon has also developed a range of specific protective padding for contact sports which he custom makes for professional teams and private patients, including the All Blacks, Crusaders and Highlanders.
About Me
BHSc (Pod)
Juls qualified as a Podiatrist in 2017 where she relocated from the North Island to Christchurch to join the team at Active Health. With a Bachelor of Health Science in Podiatry, Juls brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to her role. Her background includes representing Waikato in both Waterpolo and Netball, developing a keen interest in lower limb biomechanics and injury prevention. Juls’s passion for Podiatry extends across as aspects including footwear, sports medicine, paediatric care, and the overall health and well-being of her clients. Juls is based at our Eastern Hub in New Brighton as well as at Active Health’s main clinic on Manchester Street.
Martin Faulkner
Podiatrist
About Me
BHSc (Pod)
Martin graduated from AUT University after completing his Bachelor of Health Science (Podiatry). He transitioned into Podiatry following more than six years in the Health and Fitness industry as a fitness instructor.
Martin returned to Christchurch after working in Auckland and the Hawke’s Bay. During his time in the North Island, his work in podiatric care included general skin and nail, diabetic foot, and biomechanical management including post-surgical and acute and chronic injuries.
With his experience in exercise technique and conditioning, he brings a holistic approach to rehabilitation. For him, it’s important to form a partnership with clients to get them back moving and then making them more resilient to injury.
Outside of work, he is always seeking to stay active – be it in the gym, surfing the waves or on the golf course.
Vy Nguyen
Podiatrist
About Me
BHSc (Pod)
Vy has a background in General Medicine and completed a Bachelor of Health Science (Podiatry) in New Zealand in 2022. His passion lies in improving foot health and helping individuals maintain their mobility and activity levels. He has participated in many multidisciplinary programs to provide a holistic approach to patients with sports injuries or chronic foot conditions, such as diabetes. He received a scholarship from Arthritis New Zealand to conduct and successfully publish his first research about provision of podiatry services to people living with arthritis in 2022.
Outside of work, Vy is an adventurer who has achieved advanced scuba open water diving certification and can dive up to 40 meters deep in the ocean. He also conquered Everest Base Camp (5364m) in 2018.
Jessica Machado da Cruz
Podiatrist
About Me
BHSc (Pod)
Jessica gained her Bachelor of Health Science in Podiatry from the Auckland University of Technology. She moved to Christchurch to join the Active Health team and is passionate about helping people get back to doing what they love. Jessica thrives when helping people in all aspects of podiatry, including diabetes, paediatrics, general foot care, footwear advice and biomechanical injuries. She is based at the main clinic on Manchester street and is also located at the New Brighton clinic.
Jessica has grown up all over the world, she has lived in Dubai, Qatar and Europe. In her free time she enjoys going for runs on the beach, mountain biking and baking for her family and friends.
Christchurch Physiotherapists
Angela Mackie
Physiotherapist
About Me
BPhty PGDip SportsMed (credit), PGCertAcu (NZ)
Angela is a New Zealand Physiotherapist with 25 years experience and has post-graduate qualifications in both Sports Medicine and Acupuncture. She frequently attends conferences and courses to enhance her skills and knowledge
Angela enjoys the challenge of managing all musculoskeletal injuries. She has a keen interest in lower limb biomechanics + pelvic stability. Following a thorough assessment to understand your specific condition, she uses a combination of manual therapy, acupuncture, breathing re-education and exercises to aid recovery and help you return to the things that are important to you.
Angela has been privileged to work with a huge range of sports teams and individuals including netball, hockey and ice skating to the highest of levels. But by far the sport she’s spent the greatest time on the side-line is rugby – working with both men’s and women’s teams, including seven campaigns the with Canterbury Women’s 15s and 7s teams.
In her spare time, she enjoys running and has completed 20 half marathons, using these as an opportunity to travel and explore the country.
Ash Turner
Physiotherapist
About Me
BPhty
Ash graduated from Otago University with a Physiotherapy degree. She completed her placement in Christchurch and has continued in the city with Active Health, after venturing away from her Southland roots.
Growing up on a family farm, Ash has a huge passion for the outdoors and physical activity, and she particularly enjoys sports such as netball, rugby and athletics. Having grown up playing a number of sports, Ash is able to draw on her own experiences to assist those returning to sport after injury, or those wanting to lead a fit and active lifestyle.
Ash’s background in both farming and sports helps her to understand the physical demands involved in labour intensive activities and she enjoys supporting these individuals throughout their rehabilitation to help them get back to their everyday lives.
Bernice Lau
Physiotherapist
About Me
MScPT
Bernice graduated from the University of Toronto (Canada) with a Master of Science in Physical Therapy. She began her career in Toronto, working across a broad range of settings including private practice and rehabilitation hospitals. She has treated a variety of patient populations, including those recovering from neurological injuries/conditions and various musculoskeletal and sports injuries.
Her treatment approach focuses on using tailored exercise programming, along with a combination of manual therapy and modalities such as dry needling. Her aim is to provide a holistic model of care, and to empower patients in playing an active role in their recovery. Outside of work, Bernice enjoys spending time in the outdoors – hiking, rock climbing and snowboarding, travelling, and exploring the food scene wherever she goes.
Bevan Lawson
Physiotherapist
About Me
BPhty (credit)
Bevan graduated from the University of Otago in 2006, receiving the Sheila Consuela MacDiarmid Scholarship. He is an experienced clinical physiotherapist in musculoskeletal and sports physiotherapy with a focus on exercise-based rehabilitation and injury prevention. Bevan enjoys working with all ages, from youth athletes to older adults, helping them rehabilitate from injuries and return to active lifestyles with improved biomechanical efficiency. Bevan has also developed expertise in muscle balance assessment, occupational health, golf-specific physiotherapy and mental strategies to overcome injuries. Bevan competes to a high level in his own sporting endeavours and is the captain of the New Zealand Korfball team. Bevan has also been the physiotherapist to both the New Zealand and Australian Korfball teams.
Charlotte Hopcroft
Physiotherapist
About Me
BPhty (Distinction)
Charlotte graduated from the University of Otago before moving to Christchurch to join the team at Active Health. Her involvement in a variety of sports from a young age and fascination with the human body sparked her interest in becoming a physiotherapist. Charlotte enjoys working with people with musculoskeletal injuries to help achieve their goals and get them back to doing what they love. She is passionate about improving the overall health and wellbeing of individuals with exercise prescription, manual therapy and education. In her spare time she enjoys running, playing netball and catching up with friends.
Kate Horton
Physiotherapist /
Pilates Instructor
About Me
BSc(Hons), certified Matwork Pilates instructor (APPI) UK
Kate has a wide range of physiotherapy experience, having qualified in 2001 from Manchester University in the UK. She has worked in many areas of musculoskeletal physiotherapy both in the UK and New Zealand, from sports teams, to hospital and private practice, and has taught Pilates classes regularly since 2008.
Kate moved to New Zealand in 2009 and has been teaching up to five Pilates classes a week. She connects well with people of all ages, to help to assess, treat and prevent further injury. She has a keen interest in muscle balance problems and postural issues. Kate also enjoys treating shoulder and back injuries, along with post-operative care. She relishes the challenge of working out the problem and treating injuries with a combination of manual therapy, exercise prescription and looking at long term prevention.
In her spare time, Kate is an avid runner and has been a member of Extra Mile Runners in Christchurch for several years, having completed a number of half marathons. Living close to the Port Hills with her husband, she loves having the perfect training ground on her doorstep.
Kirsten Evans
Physiotherapist
About Me
BSc Anatomy, BPhty (Credit), PGCert Sports Physiotherapy, Certified Mulligan Practitioner
Kirsten graduated from the University of Otago with a Bachelor of Science majoring in Anatomy before pursuing her Bachelor of Physiotherapy, completed in 2017. Subsequently she has completed her Post Graduate certificate in Sports Physiotherapy and is a certified Mulligan practitioner.
Kirsten is a senior musculoskeletal physiotherapist and has extensive experience in pre/post op physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, sports injuries, concussion headaches and TMJ. She has worked across a variety of sporting codes and has a keen interest in returning individuals to their sport after injury and limiting the risk of reinjury once they return. As a keen Kareteka herself, Kirsten has a special interest in martial arts injuries and when not at work you will find her in the Dojo where she has trained for the last decade or out mountain biking around Canterbury.
Lisa McKinnon
Physiotherapist
About Me
BSc Anatomy, Bphty, Post Graduate Certificate in Higher Education (endorsed in Clinical)
Lisa is an experienced musculoskeletal clinician. She has worked in the UK and Australia and in many different private practice clinics.
She is particularly interested in treating tricky shoulders, knee pain and musculoskeletal injuries. She enjoys treating people from all walks of life – anyone from the weekend warrior to the athlete.
Outside of work she has family, a rogue puppy and enjoys tramping.
Christchurch Pelvic Health and Cancer Rehabilitation Physiotherapists
Susan Larson
Pelvic Health and Cancer Rehabilitation Physiotherapist
About Me
Susan has been a physiotherapist for over 20 years and has studied and worked in New Zealand, Australia and the USA. She spent the early part of her career working in musculoskeletal physiotherapy and developed strong manual therapy skills. On moving to America, Susan studied for and gained a Certificate of Advanced Study in Physical Therapy (Orthopaedics) and a Clinical Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions in Boston.
Working largely with back and pelvic pain diagnoses, Susan felt there was a missing link in providing complete care for these patients, which lead to the development of a special interest in pelvic floor physiotherapy. Over the last few years Susan has completed extensive advanced training in Women’s and Men’s Pelvic Health, including obtaining a Post Graduate Certificate in Women’s Health and Continence from Curtin University in Perth, completing Functional Dry Needling Certification (Level 1, 2 and advanced) from KinetaCore in Colorado, and numerous continuing education courses. Utilizing these skills, she now proudly offers a truly comprehensive successful physiotherapy approach to pelvic health issues and pre and postnatal care.
Susan also has a passion for cancer rehabilitation and works with patients before, during and after medical cancer treatments, addressing treatment side effects like pain, fatigue, weakness and lymphoedema that may have affect patient’s physical and functional abilities. While she was based in Colorado, Susan completed training in the Pink Ribbon Program, the Strength After Breast Cancer Program and became a Certified Lymphoedema Therapist. She was part of the cancer rehabilitation team at Boulder Community Hospital, working in close association with the Rocky Mountain Cancer Centre. Since returning to New Zealand she has become a certified provider of the PINC and STEEL cancer rehabilitation programs, which are internationally known physiotherapy and exercise programs for women and men with cancer. In addition to providing individualized cancer rehabilitation, Susan runs a Next Steps cancer group exercise class at the Rangiora Fitness Centre.
Susan has returned to her hometown of Christchurch with her husband Keith, a Sommelier and is delighted to bring her unique skills and treatments to Active Health. Susan and Keith enjoy a well-balanced lifestyle including appreciation of good food and wine, travel, and many outdoor activities including hiking, biking, skiing and snowshoeing.
We are delighted to have Susan back on the Active Health team, after working with us back in 2012. Susan sees patients in our St Albans clinic and in Rangiora at both the Durham Health and the Rangiora Fitness Centre Active Health clinics.
Jo Dowle
Pelvic Health Physiotherapist
About Me
Jo is a pelvic health physiotherapists that can treat men, women, and paediatric patients that are struggling with issues such as bladder or bowel urgency, frequency, or leakage.
She can help manage constipation and pelvic pain conditions, as well as coccyx injuries and provide post-surgical advice. She can advise women during their pregnancy and help them get back to their desired exercise and activities after they have had a baby, or are wanting to successfully negotiate the changes during perimenopause and beyond.
Kath Bull
Cancer Rehabilitation Physiotherapist
About Me
Kath has a wide range of physiotherapy experience, having graduated from the University of Otago in 1994. She has worked in many areas of musculoskeletal physiotherapy in New Zealand, America and the UK. She enjoys treating a wide range of conditions and is dedicated to helping people recover from their injuries through comprehensive assessment, treatment and individualised rehabilitation programmes.
Kath worked for Active Health from 2005-2008 at the QEII location, and then re-joined the Active Health team in 2017 after relocating from Auckland.
Kath has a special interest in cancer rehabilitation, and works with patients before, during and after medical cancer treatments, addressing treatment side effects like pain, fatigue and weakness that may have affect patient’s physical and functional abilities. Kath is a certified provider of the PINC and STEEL cancer rehabilitation programs, which are internationally known physiotherapy and exercise programs for women and men with cancer.
In addition Kath also works on ACC Vocational Rehabilitation contracts, both as a lead provider for these contracts and also providing rehabilitation to help clients return to work as soon as possible after injury. Kath has completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Rehabilitation with a paper in Work Rehabilitation.
In her spare time, Kath enjoys hiking, skiing and mountain biking.
Ashley Briscoe
Pelvic Health / Cancer Rehabilitation Physiotherapist
About Me
Pelvic Health and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist
Ashley has been working in Auckland since graduating from the University of Otago with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy and has now returned to her hometown of Christchurch. Ashley has experience working with musculoskeletal injuries and sports teams, as well as having a keen interest in pelvic health. In addition to attending multiple continuing education courses on pelvic health, Ashley is currently studying towards a Diploma in Pain Management with a focus on pelvic pain at the University of Otago. She particularly enjoys working with lower back, pelvic, glute and hip pain.
Ashley believes in individualized rehabilitation and goal setting to empower and motivate her clients back into doing the things they enjoy. She has worked with women soon after delivery at Birthcare in Auckland and has a passion for educating and guiding women on postpartum recovery and safe return to exercise. When she’s not at work, Ashley enjoys going to the gym, playing with her dogs and drinking coffee.
Christchurch Vocational Rehabilitation Physiotherapists
Cath Silvester
Physiotherapist
About Me
Dip Phys.
Cath brings to Active Health a wide range of experience. After graduating in 1991 she spent time working in the UK and the United States specialising in Orthopedics. After returning to New Zealand she worked for a number of years in a leading multi-disciplinary sports practice specializing in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy. For the last three years Cath has worked in a Pain Management Practice managing chronic pain conditions and specialising in Vocational Health. Cath is currently completing post graduate studies in Vocational Health. In her spare time Cath enjoys running and has recently taken up mountain biking.
Kath Bull
Physiotherapist
About Me
BPhty
Kath has a wide range of physiotherapy experience, having graduated from the University of Otago in 1994. She has worked in many areas of musculoskeletal physiotherapy in New Zealand, America and the UK. She enjoys treating a wide range of conditions and is dedicated to helping people recover from their injuries through comprehensive assessment, treatment and individualised rehabilitation programmes.
Kath worked for Active Health from 2005-2008 at the QEII location, and then re-joined the Active Health team in 2017 after relocating from Auckland.
Kath has a special interest in cancer rehabilitation, and works with patients before, during and after medical cancer treatments, addressing treatment side effects like pain, fatigue and weakness that may have affect patient’s physical and functional abilities. Kath is a certified provider of the PINC and STEEL cancer rehabilitation programs, which are internationally known physiotherapy and exercise programs for women and men with cancer.
In addition Kath also works on ACC Vocational Rehabilitation contracts, both as a lead provider for these contracts and also providing rehabilitation to help clients return to work as soon as possible after injury. Kath has completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Rehabilitation with a paper in Work Rehabilitation.
In her spare time, Kath enjoys hiking, skiing and mountain biking.
Jess Blair
Physiotherapist
About Me
BPhty
Jess qualified as a Physiotherapist at AUT and has since worked in Cambridge. Moving to Christchurch just over a year ago, Jess has previous experience working as a Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist with a varied role including Aged Care (falls prevention and injury management), Management and Private Hospital work. Jess now primarily works in the Vocational Rehab space, assisting clients to return to their pre-injury roles. Jess provides care that is centred around the client. In her spare time, Jess enjoys picking up her camera, going to the gym, skiing, biking and hiking.
Lisa McKinnon
Physiotherapist
About Me
BSc Anatomy, Bphty, Post Graduate Certificate in Higher Education (endorsed in Clinical)
Lisa is an experienced musculoskeletal clinician. She has worked in the UK and Australia and in many different private practice clinics.
She is particularly interested in treating tricky shoulders, knee pain and musculoskeletal injuries. She enjoys treating people from all walks of life – anyone from the weekend warrior to the athlete.
Outside of work she has family, a rogue puppy and enjoys tramping.
Christchurch Administration Staff
Lynley Devon
Senior Reception / Admin
About Me
Lynley is a long-standing member of our reception team. She likes keeping active running socially around home and in the hills.
Now her two children have left home she spends more time walking the dogs and enjoys nothing more than curling up on the couch with a good book.
Abbey Clark
Reception / Gym Manager
About Me
Abbey is a lover of all things health and fitness being a qualified personal trainer. She is always keen for getting out and about, including walks, playing and watching sports.
Her biggest passion would be health and fitness, along with travelling and spending time with family and friends.
Jess Campion
Admin / Marketing
About Me
Jess is a member of our friendly admin and marketing team. She studied at the University of Canterbury where she gained a Bachelor of Commerce.
In her spare time, Jess enjoys baking, going to the gym and pilates, and spending time with friends and family.
Amy Sutherland
Finanace Manager
About Me
About Me
Laura Dow
Reception / Admin
About Me
Laura is part of our reception and admin team at our Manchester Street clinc.
In her spare time, she enjoys reading, spending time with friends and family, and going on walks with her family dog.
Judy Forward
Reception
About Me
Judy works part time between our New Brighton and Manchester Street clinics.
She attends her Aqua Fit classes most days and love to tandem bike ride with her husband and travel in their caravan.
Phoebe Anson
Reception
About Me
Phoebe is one of our part time receptionists based at our Manchester Street clinic. She is currently studying towards a Bachelor of Laws at the University of Canterbury.
When she is not at work or university, she enjoys spending time with her friends and family.
Drea Muller
Reception / Admin
About Me
Drea is based in our New Brighton clinic. She has a strong admin and customer service background and is very customer service focused.
In her spare time, Drea enjoys gardening, cooking, travelling and going to live music gigs.
Maddy Dawson
Reception
About Me
Maddy is a new member of our friendly reception team. She studied at the University of Otago where she gained a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Sport Management.
In her spare time Maddy loves fitness and the outdoors, particularly surfing and hiking, as well as socialising and travelling.
Make an appointment today
Find a time that suits you and book an appointment online using our booking system. If you are not sure who to see, give us a call and we can help find the best clinician for you.